Self-inflicted skin abrasions due to stress.

Mai's arms are covered in scars, deep, circular wounds that ooze fluid and are inflamed and red... all the result of scratching her skin whenever she's stressed or anxious.

After a week of treatment at the Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Department of Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, the wounds on Ms. Pham Thi Mai's (37 years old, Tan Phu District) hands began to heal. The doctor inquired about her mental health and encouraged her to continue treatment to fade the scars. After her follow-up appointment, Ms. Mai was taken by customer service staff to the pharmacy counter to buy medicine and then escorted to the bus stop in front of the hospital to return home.

Dr. Dang Thi Ngoc Bich, from the Dermatology and Cosmetic Dermatology Department at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, examines a patient. Photo: Provided by the hospital.

Earlier, at the clinic, Ms. Pham Thi Mai chose a seat at the end of the row, against the wall. It wasn't until the customer service representative called her name three times that she realized someone was calling her. For over 10 minutes, she kept her eyes fixed on the floor, unconsciously clutching at her wound. Noticing the patient's unusual behavior, Dr. Dang Thi Ngoc Bich reassured her.

After a while, Mai shared that for the past year she had felt frustrated, irritable, and at times desperate because she had no one to empathize with or listen to her. Whenever she felt unwell, she would pinch her skin, sometimes until it bled. She said that she felt more at ease mentally when she hurt herself.

Before her old wounds could heal, she inflicted new ones. For nearly a year, her arm has been covered in dark scars and open wounds. For the past week, she has felt a lot of pain in her arm, it is swollen and red, and the wounds are oozing fluid. She went alone to Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for examination.

According to Doctor Dang Thi Ngoc Bich, the patient had multiple skin lesions on both arms, with wounds deep enough to reach the fatty layer, and similar in shape. Many areas had healed, forming scars on the upper arms and elbows. The appearance of numerous old scars and new wounds indicates that the patient suffered repeated injuries over a long period. The wounds were swollen, red, and oozing due to infection; if not treated promptly, they could develop into abscesses (pus formation), causing deeper damage.

Ms. Mai was prescribed topical medication to help heal the wound and prevent infection, as well as oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication. Dr. Bich advised her to return for a follow-up appointment so that a dermatologist/cosmetic surgeon and a psychologist could jointly examine the wound and provide treatment.

The extensive wounds on the patient's elbow have healed significantly. Photo: Provided by the hospital.

At her next follow-up appointment, Ms. Mai was more proactive in talking to the doctor. The wounds on her hands had healed, and she also asked the doctor about scar treatment methods. She was prescribed a scar-fading cream and continued using it to ensure the small wounds healed completely. Dr. Bich encouraged her to proactively care for her skin and apply the cream as prescribed to help the scars fade faster.

Dr. Bich said she has received many patients seeking scar removal after repeatedly self-harming their skin with razor blades, sharp objects, cigarette burns, or by scratching themselves with their fingernails. Most patients regret their actions. Some patients shared that they chose to self-harm to attract attention from their loved ones.

Doctors warn that using razor blades or sharp objects to injure the skin can lead to dangerous infectious diseases, even life-threatening ones if there is significant blood loss. Using tobacco or hot objects to burn the hands can leave keloid scars. If skin wounds are not treated properly, they can become infected, ulcerated, suppurating, or deeply damaged, affecting the patient's health. If you notice yourself, your friends, or relatives showing signs of self-harm, you should advise them to seek psychological counseling and treatment.

Dinh Tien

*Character names have been changed

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/tu-cao-rach-da-do-cang-thang-4601085.html